MULTI-racial leaders throughout Burnley and Pendle linked to pay tribute to Princess Diana - "the woman whose work for good knew no barriers".

Asian leaders cancelled their celebration dinner to mark the 50th anniversary of the birth of Pakistan.

Instead 200 people from all walks of life gathered for an evening of memory and prayer on the death of a princess.

They observed a minute's silence in a Nelson Civic Centre stripped of celebratory decorations.

And on a stage illuminated by a single candle, speaker after speaker - from civic leaders to schoolchildren - paid moving tribute to the woman whose work had touched their lives.

Many voiced the view that the princess was, indeed, what she wished to be - "the queen of people's hearts".

On behalf of the Christian community, United Reformed Church minister the Rev Sally Thomas praised the Asian organisers for being sensitive to the situation and changing their programme to mark the desperately sad occasion.

They had shown that when tragedy struck, communities could also be united in grief. Nelson GP Dr Ikram Malik, who met Princess Diana on a visit to the most deprived area of Nelson, said everyone was touched by her love, humanity and ability to reach out to people everywhere.

Judge Bill Ashworth, chairman of East Lancashire Health Authority said Princess Diana was an ambassador for the world of suffering - campaigning for those suffering from Aids and leprosy and against land mines - issues which were far from popular.

"She did what she thought was right and made the world sit up and notice," he said.

"She reached out and touched hands and hearts all over the world."

Pendle council leader Alan Davies said he he hoped that in death the princess would find the approval and peace she had struggled for in life.

Burnley councillor and Blackburn Racial Equality director Rafique Malik said Princess Diana's death was a tragedy, not only for Britain, but for the whole of the world.

"She broke down the barriers of religion, caste, colour, nationality, ability and disability."

The death of no other person could so unite the world in grief, he added.

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